Typewriters of which the striking of the keys is controlled electrically



May 29, 1962 E.BACHER TYPEWRITERS OF WHICH THE STRIKING OF THE KEYS IS CONTROLLED ELECTRICALLY Filed Dec. 28, 1960 3,036,686 TYPEWRITERS F WHKIH THE STRIKING OF THE Typewriters are already known in which the striking of the keys is controlled automatically, in particular typewriters connected to calculating devices for accounting l't is known that in machines of this type are represented in the form of configuratron of electric contacts in the calculating device and are rolled by the carriage of the typewriter, so as to influence the electromagnets controlling the typing of the figures. In accounting or calculating operations, it has been An electric diagram of a portion of a typewriter, subject of the invention is shown diagrammatically and by two type bars are mounted in such a manner as not to provoke an advance movement of the carriage when they are actuated, as is usual in typewriters, for some characters The reference numerals 0 to 9 refer to ten electromagnet windings, each of which is adapted to control a type bar for typing one of the figures 0 to 9.

The control circuit for typing figures comprises a terminal a for the supply of current, which is connected by three switches, e, i and p to a series of switches h to f The switches h to f are controlled by the carriage of the typewriter in such a manner as to be closed, then opened again in turn, in such a manner that a number of switches are not closed at the same time. These switches f to f permit the supplying of con- 3,036,686 Patented May 29, 1962 This group of contacts C is called stereotype and is not shown in detail, as it is well known in technology.

The functioning of this device is very simple and the circuit shown permits the inscription of a number comthis number and the stereotype is provided, for each of these lines, with a contact placing it in electric connection with one of the windings 0 to 9. When the carriage of the typewriter is in the desired position for the switches z and being in the normal position. For controlling the inscription of the number contained in the stereotype C, the switch e is closed, which permits the current to pass through the line 21, then through the contact c and to pass through the winding 0 controlling the typing of a nought. The switch i is controlled by the the machine, in such a manner as advance of the carriage entrains the opening of the switch f and the closing of the switch f switch i is reclosed, the current passes through the line to a movement, one the following switch the successive reading of the switches f closes, so that the device permits of the numeral in each of the decimal rows of the number inscribed in the stereotype C.

To permit overlining or underlining at the same time and R, a double switch S and a commutator H.

The relay P controls four contacts shown in their normal position and indicated by p p p and 17 The relay Q controls two contacts q and g and the relay R three contacts r r and r When a figure is to be overlined or underlined, the double switch S should be closed before the switch e, whilst the commutator H is connected to the winding 10 to whether an overlining or underlin- As a result the relay P is no longer supplied by s p and r and this relay relaxes, so

that its four contacts resume their position shown in the drawing. The relay Q has been energized by reason of the closure of (1 and r When the type bar returns to its normal position, it provokes the closing of the switch 1', so that the current can pass through one of the switches f to f for example through h, then through the stereotype C, so as to provoke the typing of a figure.

At the same time, a current passes through s and p and provokes the energizing of the relay R and, consequently, the opening of the contacts r 1' and r The energizing of the relay Q is cut off, which produces the closing of contact q and the opening of contact q However, the relay P cannot be energized afresh whilst the switch i is closed, as the energization of the relay R maintains the contacts r and r open. When the switch i opens by reason of the typing of a number, the relay R relaxes, the contacts r r r, are closed and the relay P is again energized by s (1 and r When the type bar with numeral characters returns to its normal position, the switch i recloses and permits the passing of a fresh impulse of current into the winding It or 11 for provoking the overlining or the underlining of the second figure which is depressed. At this moment, the relays P, Q and R are again in the same position as during the first passage of current into the winding or 11, so that the succession of operations which has been described is repeated afresh.

The device described thus permits controlling the typing of a horizontal line above or below the line of typing before each figure which is to be inscribed for forming a number. There thus results a greater rapidity in overlining or underlining of this figure as it is no longer necessary to effect the typing twice or the typing of the figure the first time, as, after having moved the carriage in the starting position.

When the machine comprises a key controlling the inscription of the result of the addition of a number of figures at the bottom of the column, where these figures are inscribed, it is advantageous that the actuation of said key acts on the double switch S so as to provoke the typing of a horizontal line above the number representing the total of the addition. It will be clear that when it is desired to underline a figure, he switch H should be moved into its other position, which is not shown in the drawing. This operation of the switch H may be etfected by means of a key, for example for underlining or even in combination with another key of the typewriter of which the lowering should provoke a predetermined operation of which the result should be underlined.

In principle the type bar actuated for the overlining or underlining need not provoke the disengagement of the escapement mechanism of the carriage, but it will be understood that when using a typewriter of the usual type, in which this type bar acts on the escapement of the carriage, it is possible to provide a complementary device adapted to maintain the carriage in position when the said type bar is controlled in such a manner as to effect the overlining or the underlining at the same time as the inscription of a' number.

I claim:

1. A typewriter in which the typing of numbers is controlled electrically, especially an accounting machine, comprising a carriage for supporting at least one sheet which is to be typed upon, a mechanism for controlling the advance of the carriage step by step, type bars for typing figures and horizontal lines, electromagnets for each respective type bar, an electrical circuit controlling said type bars electrically connected to said electromagnets, said circuit comprising selection contacts each linked respectively to one of said control electromagnets of a respective type bar, a two position switch, said switch providing the supply of current to said selection contacts in one of said two positions, while in the other position, said switch directs the contr 1 current to one of said electromagnets controlling a type bar for the typing of a horizontal line, said horizontal line typing not being accompanied by any advancement of the carriage, and a relay responsive to the passage of current operatively associated with the apparatus for controlling the typing of a number, said relay'being connected for successive dwell at said two positions of the switch.

2. A machine according to claim 1, in which each electrically controlled type bar acts, during its striking movement, upon a switch to thereby interrupt the current controlling the striking movement, said circuit comprising at least one relay sensitive to each interruption of current, said relay having contacts arranged in two circuits for exciting at least one other relay, said latter relay controlling the movements of the said two position switch.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein each of said type bars permit typing of a horizontal line under the line of typing and respective type bars permitting the typing of a horizontal line above the line of typing, and a commutator having two positions, thereby permitting the connection at will of one or the other of the respective two electromagnets respectively controlling the said two type bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

